In Michigan, regulators want pumpers to dump their septic system loads at the nearest convenient wastewater treatment plant. In many situations, haulers are required to recycle their loads in the same county where they pumped them. But now, in Benton, Ark., the public utility commission is telling local pumpers they’ll have to go elsewhere to offload … And city officials don’t seem to care how far the pumpers have to go to dump.
Check out this story in the Benton Currier: http://www.bentoncourier.com/content/utilities-department-septic-haulers-odds-over-disposal-benton-system
“Each county needs to provide a place to dump waste,” Alfred Richards, of Alrite Septic Tank Service, argued against a new ordinance to ban septic waste at the city’s treatment plant. “I don't understand how the city can do this. We understand being fined if we do illegal dumping ... but legal dumping? I don't understand. We've been dumping here since I've been in business,”
In Benton, city officials contend continuing to accept septic waste will tax the treatment plant and could cause equipment problems down the road. Several pumpers argued the greater community good would be served if the city kept plant doors open to them. A city official said the pumpers should simply travel further to other facilities that will accept the waste.
This situation seems to run counter to what’s going on in Michigan.
What’s the status of convenient disposal where you service septic tanks? If plants are shutting you out, are you interested in looking into building your own dewatering system and becoming more self-sufficient.
Let me know what you think. Drop me a line at editor@pumper.com or respond directly to this blog post below.
